"But the hard facts were that fifty..." - Quote by Nelson Mandela
But the hard facts were that fifty years of non-violence had brought the African people nothing but more and more repressive legislation, and fewer and fewer rights.
More by Nelson Mandela
“Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself.”
“Let the efforts of us all, prove that he [Martin Luther King] was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold”
“Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place.”
More on Nonviolence
“The fullest application of ahimsa does make life impossible.”
“It is an ever-growing belief with me that truth cannot be found by violent means.”
“The alphabet of ahimsa is best learnt in domestic school and I can say from experience that if we secure success there, we are sure to do so everywhere else.”
More on Resistance
“It should be borne in mind that there is nothing more difficult to arrange, more doubtful of success, and more dangerous to carry through than initiating changes. The innovator makes enemies of all those who prospered under the old order, and only lukewarm support is forthcoming from those who would prosper under the new. Their support is lukewarm ... partly because men are generally incredulous, never really trusting new things unless they have tested them by experience.”
“To yield to the threat or actual use of violence is a surrender of one's self respect and religious conviction.”
“We want to go in for suffering, and there may be torture. If we put the women in front the Government may hesitate to inflict on us all the penalty that they might otherwise inflict.”